Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.

That durability also makes oak flooring last a long-time. Typically, you can count on getting 25 to 30 years out of an oak floor. But manufacturers like Bruce warrant some of their residential oak hardwoods like Dundee and America's Best Choice for 50 years.

Typically, solid hardwood flooring is between 5/16 and ¾ inches thick. Those are pretty standard thicknesses that serve most needs. Engineered hardwood can come in different thicknesses but generally, it's about the same offerings as solid hardwood.